IRELAND
ON $100 A DAY
Budget B&B Travel in Irish Countryside
Okay, so you don’t have a Leprechaun for an uncle and you’re
still looking for the pot o’ gold in a tough economy, but you still
want to see a bit ‘o the world, of visit the land o’ yer ancestors
(see Finding Iriah Ancestors). It is quite possible to explore green and
glorious Ireland for under a 100 dollars - or at least under a hundred
euro. The ideal way to enjoy yourself in Ireland on a hundred bucks to
stay in one of Ireland’s many bed & breakfasts sprinkled throughout
the country. Rooms in a quaint cottage, a farmhouse or holiday home can
start at as little as €30 depending on the season. Rates almost always
include breakfast, the big hearty Irish kind, of eggs, rashers of local
bacon, sausages, black and white pudding, usually even beans and toast,
which can keep you going all morning. The Discover Ireland national tourism
site has full listing of B&Bs across the country, even in Northern
Ireland, where you can shop for the perfect stay to fit your budget. You
can find hundreds with rates of €30 to €35 per person. 
The rail networks of Ireland are a little limited, with connections to
smaller town requiring a local bus service. If you have a few specific
town locations in mind for your stay, the public systems might work fine,
or perhaps arrange a specific tour (see Ireland
Rail Tours). Once settled
in a local B&B, set out to explore the local attractions. When possible,
if in town or close to an attraction, stroll on foot to get a vivid, up-close
view of the sights, and maybe chat with some of the locals. Getting around
to the smaller villages might be a matter of a rental car, usually picked
up from one of the airports or city centers, allowing you to wander the
narrow roads and lanes of the countryside to your heart’s content
(see Driving
Scenic Ireland).
Since all the National Museums in Ireland have free admission, you can
save on some of your sight-seeing by focusing on those (see 10 Free Things
in Ireland). You can find a list of museums at the Go
Ireland website which
provides a listing of 144 museums in Ireland so you’ll be sure to
find one close by.
Other privately run museums and sights like some of the more famous castle,
require
admission,
but
often
just
a few
euros.
Get a Visitors Discount Pass from Ireland Heritage for some savings on
those (see Ireland
Heritage Discount Pass). Visit the tourism office in Dublin
for itinerary ideas, or the tourist office
located
in
any major
town to learn of walking or hiking tours nearby.
For lunch, most towns now have at least one if not several cafés
offering fantastic homemade soup and fresh brown bread, both filling and
economical, around €5, and finish it off with a cappuccino or tea,
and you’ll be set until dinner. In the afternoon, you might explore
some of the local shops while checking out a good pub for dinner. While
you’ll find an abundance of pubs wherever you are, not all of them
serve food, so ask around for recommendations. Dinner at a local Irish
pub should top off your busy day perfectly. The new idea of the “GastroPub” has
caught on and pubs now serve a variety of cuisine. You can go for the traditional
favorites such as fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, or explore the
world’s flavors. You can have a fine meal less than €20, and
head back to your cozy B&B full and happy for a night’s rest
and the next day of adventure. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best hotel and travel deals in Ireland on TripAdvisor
Web
Info
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Ireland B&Bs
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SEE ALSO:
25 FREE THINGS TO DO IN IRELAND
